Born Ethel Carr on August 4, 1894 in Parkersburg West Virginia
Attended the Sumner School which was established during the Civil War as the first school for free African Americans below the Mason-Dixon Line.
Ethel showed great academic ability and graduated early with honors from Sumner School and was accepted to Howard University as one of its youngest freshmen. While at Howard University, Ethel was a member of the College Classical Club and treasurer of The Literary Club and The Social Club. During this time Ethel learned of greek sororities and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha. She became acquainted with several members and decided to branch out on their and create an organic sorority with a more concerted focus on academia and service. Ethel along with twenty one other young women created Delta Sigma Theta in 1913 with the motto: Intelligence is the Torch of Wisdom.
Ethel had the distinction to of marching in the Women’s Suffrage March of 1913 at the invitation of Mary Church Terrell. Ethel later confided that her family did not want her to participate, but she was forced to defy them because she had been selected to carry the banner because she was the tallest. Upon being recognized by her professors as a shining example of academic excellence Ethel graduated Magna Cum Laude from Howard University in 1913.
After graduating Ethel returned to Parkersburg to teach at her alma mater, the Sumner School. She taught both fifth and sixth grades. In addition to her regular curriculum which included teaching Shakespeare and Chaucer, she taught acrobatics/ gymnastics, art, penmanship, and dance. She was especially talented in classical ballet and tap dance. During her tenure at Sumner Ethel curated and choreographed several productions at the Historic Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg. She handled every detail of these productions including designing and sewing the costumes.
Ethel had a huge impact on the direction of Sumner School - her vision and methods created a great academic environment and her creativity added to the allure and reputation of the school. Upon retiring from teaching in 1948 and having a successful tenure spanning well over three decades Ethel began a second career as a dramatic performer. One of her most renowned performances was “She Stoops to Conquer” at the Smoot Theatre in Parkersburg. Ethel is quoted as saying “I have been the only colored who has ever given a performance at the Smoot Theatre for Warner Brothers in Parkersburg, West Virginia.” This was in fact the case. He performance was well attended and she went on to produce and direct other shows for the theater. Even after getting married in 1938 Ethel made the journey to and from Virginia often to both assist with the direction of Sumner School and to keep a foothold on what was happening in Parkersburg.
Ethel married Ralph Watson a successful business man and former boxer in Windham, Connecticut. They had no children but shared many nieces and nephews the they considered their own. Ethel died May 1, 1960 in Windham Connecticut.
Book: Black Greek Letter Organizations in the 21st Century
Sumner School